Manchester Airport Sees Record Surge in Flights to Asia and Global Destinations

Manchester Airport has reported a phenomenal year for passenger numbers on direct flights, particularly to East and Southeast Asia. More than 520,000 passengers travelled on these routes in the past year, significantly surpassing the previous record of 363,000. This represents a remarkable five-fold increase since 2013, when the Manchester China Forum was established and only 90,000 passengers made the journey.

Expanding Connectivity: New Routes and Increased Capacity

The growth is fueled by increased services from key airlines. Hainan Airlines and Juneyao Air have both expanded their operations from Manchester to Beijing and Shanghai, respectively, now offering up to three flights per day between Manchester and China. Singapore Airlines, celebrating 40 years of service to Manchester, continues to operate a direct flight to Singapore Changi five days a week. A significant boost also came from Norse Atlantic Airways launching Manchester’s first-ever direct flight to Bangkok, a globally popular destination.

Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, stated: “We’re proud of our role in connecting the North with the world, so it’s wonderful to see thriving connections in East and Southeast Asia. To top half a million passengers travelling to the region for the first time is an outstanding achievement but speaks to the quality of the product we’re now able to offer in our award-winning Terminal 2, as we reach the end of a decade-long £1.3bn programme of investment.

“We have no intention of standing still and we’re eager to continue our growth in this market – we know there is also still huge demand for travel to other countries and cities in the region and we are actively looking to add new routes to our network. “For now though, I’d like to thank everyone who has chosen Manchester as their starting point for a trip to the region in the past year, and to wish everyone celebrating a very happy Year of the Horse.”

Celebrating the Lunar New Year with Direct Flights

To mark the Year of the Horse, Hainan Airlines delighted passengers with complimentary horse plush toys on a recent inbound flight and participated in Manchester’s Lunar New Year parade. Here’s a look at some top destinations accessible via direct flights from Manchester Airport for Lunar New Year celebrations:

• Beijing – Fly direct with Hainan Airlines from £515pp return*. Experience traditional temple fairs and vibrant fireworks displays.
• Shanghai – Fly direct with Juneyao Air from £524pp return*. Immerse yourself in the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival, a month-long celebration of culture and performance.
• Singapore – Fly direct with Singapore Airlines from £680pp return*. Explore the illuminated streets of Chinatown and the River Hongbao Cultural Festival.
• Hong Kong – Fly direct with Cathay Pacific from £802pp return*. Enjoy a week-long program of cultural shows culminating in a spectacular fireworks display over Victoria Harbour.
• Bangkok – Fly direct with Norse Atlantic Airways from £534pp return*. Experience the energy of Yaowarat district with dragon dances, street parties, and colorful decorations.
• New York – Fly direct with Virgin Atlantic from £805pp return*. Celebrate Lunar New Year in the heart of New York City’s Chinatown with a grand annual parade.

*Price quoted is the cheapest direct return fare with the specified airline before 31 January 2027 and is correct at the time of publication. Seat selection, hold baggage and other optional extras may not be included.

Plan your next adventure from Manchester Airport! For the latest flight information and deals, visit the Manchester Airport website.